Best Credit Cards for Costco & Sam's Club (2026)
Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club are a haul — the average member spends $200–500 per trip. Choosing the right card can earn you 2–5% back on bulk groceries, household goods, gas, and electronics.
Here's the catch most people miss: Costco and Sam's Club code as warehouse clubs, not grocery stores. That means your 3% or 5% grocery bonus cards won't trigger. You need cards that specifically reward warehouse club spending or offer flat-rate 2%+ back.
Also important: Costco only accepts Visa credit cards in-warehouse (all networks on Costco.com). Sam's Club accepts all four major networks. This narrows your options at Costco significantly.
Use our rewards calculator to model your exact warehouse-club spending, or check our top picks below.
Top Cards for Costco & Sam's Club
Warehouse Club Strategy: Which Card Where?
Your best card depends on where you shop and what you buy:
- Costco warehouse: Use the Costco Anywhere Visa (2%) or Citi Double Cash (2%). Grocery bonus cards won't work — Costco codes as warehouse club.
- Sam's Club: Use the Sam's Club Mastercard (3% at Sam's, 5% gas) or Citi Double Cash (2% flat). More network flexibility than Costco.
- Costco gas: Use the Costco Visa (4% on gas, first $7K/yr). This is one of the best gas cards available.
- Costco.com: All major credit cards accepted. Use your highest-rate card — groceries on Amex Blue Cash Preferred (6%), general shopping on Citi Double Cash (2%).
The Costco stacking trick
If you're an Executive Member ($120/yr), you earn 2% on most Costco purchases (up to $1,000/year reward). Stack that with the Costco Visa's 2% back and you're earning 4% total on every Costco purchase — without even trying. The membership fee pays for itself at $500+/month in Costco spending.
For more on which cards earn the most on gas, warehouse clubs, and groceries, try our rewards calculator or compare cards side by side at our compare tool.
Want to compare all categories? Try our full rewards calculator.